The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-11
nRuMMERs AND RAILROADS..
A Suggestion for Getting Around the
Lava Hotel Syndicate.


From the St Louis Republican.
Gen. Frank j. Jones, general agent
Traders and Travellers union Of New
York, arrived in the city yesterday and
registered at the Planters. Gen. Jones
visits the west for the purpose of estab-
fishing a branch Office in this city, and for
the further purpose of making an attempt
TO get an opinion from the interstate COM
merce commission ms TO the rights OF COM
mercial travellers us far as excess of bag
gage is concerned.
Heretofore the commission has refused
to pass upon our point" said he TO Re-
publican reporter. "Our proposition il
70 charge each commercial traveller 81 20
wear; of that amount 20 cents will
he charged for baggage plates, ~ for
membership and ~ Tor insurance OF
300 pounds of baggage in the sum of
$500. In our turn, the union proposes
10 release the railroads from all liability
for damages on every account. We CON
tend, therefore, that il the railroads are al
lowed TO transport 300 pounds OF baggage
for each man, IL will not he discrimination
in favor OF drummers, but that the roads
will be getting an equivalent in the form
of their release from liability. One of the
eastern roads. which had already made
contracts with our members, proposed 10
live up 10 those contracts and 10 fight the
commission il it objected. The commits
sion did not object in that case, however,
but put It's acquicsccncc on the ground
that il was simply an unexpircd contract
that was being carried out, and failed or
refused 10 pass on the question whether
or not such an arrangement per 80 was in
terdicted by the interstate commerce bill.
"You think, then, that the reduced
rates TO drummcrs will not be in conflict
with the law" he was asked.
"No, because we are giving, rs ] said,
All equivalent In the release from liability
on account OF damages. am sure that II
We get the commission 10 pass upon he
matter at all, we shall win; II not before
the commission, before thesupremc courts.
The supreme court has already decided
one great point for us, and that WIS the
REQUIREMENT, under the laws OF some
States, that drummcrs take out q license
10 sell goods. We had bill In Congress
10 upset that hardship, but the supreme
court settled ii In passing upon an individ-
ual case. Two OF the States still persist in
arrcsting men for selling without license,
and il is generally paid, because IL is only
s. or $40, and payment Of that sum is the
cheapest way out OF the trouble. II any
one would test the matter we would win.
am here, however on another item
Of our business. We have sys-
tenn Of hotel rates guaranteed us in
many cities, and Il is 10 further this phase
OF our business that am here. We have
already $50 hotels throughout the country
in which our coupons are taken for cash.
We sell books Of coupons to travelling men,
and the presentation OF those coupons 20
the hotels in payment OF board ut once
identifies the traveller and entities him TO
the rate ggrced 10 with us. Whenever we
issue book We are compelled 90 deposit an
amount OF cash sufficient 10 buy back the
coupons, in the Chemical bank OF New
York city by spring We expect TO have
1000 Of these hotels, and TO be able 10
furnish rates 20 travelling men In MI the
cities and towns in which there are hotels.
orrRA GLASSES aud Gold Spectaclcs.
Seward, Scientific Optician, eSS Main
street